KR100864019B1 - Network printer system, printer, control method for printer, computer readable medium - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to reduce the effort of network setting of a printer.

A network printer system 100 including a first printer 200 and a second printer 300a, 300b, 300c, wherein the first printer 200 stores predetermined network setting information, and the second printer 300a, Wireless communication with 300b and 300c is established, and the stored network setting information is transmitted to the second printers 300a, 300b and 300c by the established wireless communication, and the second printers 300a, 300b and 300c The received network setting information is received, the received network setting information is stored, and the network setting is switched in accordance with the stored network setting information.

Network printer system, interface, setting switch, access point

Description

Network-readable system that records network printer systems, printers, printer control methods and programs {NETWORK PRINTER SYSTEM, PRINTER, CONTROL METHOD FOR PRINTER, COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM}

1 is a system configuration diagram of a network system including a printer system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a network printer system.

3 is a functional block diagram of a network printer system.

4 is a sequence diagram of a network setting process in the network printer system.

Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings

1: network system 10: local area network system

20: access point 30, 40: PC

50: setting PC 52: printer driver

54: wired interface 100: network printer system

200: first printer 202: printer engine

204, 304 Processor 206, 306 RAM

208, 308: wireless LAN interface 210, 310: nonvolatile memory

212 and 312: wired interface 220 and 320: image forming unit

222, 322: control unit 224: wired communication unit

226: First setting information storage unit 228, 324: Wireless communication unit

230, 330: wireless communication establishment unit 232: identification information acquisition unit

234, 334: password generation unit 236, 336: setting switching unit

300a, 300b, 300c: second printer 302: printer engine

326: second setting information storage unit 332: identification information transmission unit

The present invention relates to a network printer system for performing network setting of a printer, a printer, a control method and a program of the printer.

Recently, there have been network printers equipped with a wireless LAN interface and connected to a local area network by wireless communication. In order for a network printer to connect to a local area network using a wireless LAN interface, it is necessary to make settings suitable for the environment of the local area network. However, the user interface of the display device and the input device included in the printer is not as operable as that of the PC and the like, and network setting is difficult. It was also easy to mistype settings. Therefore, the network setting of the printer device is generally made through a computer such as a PC connected to the printer. For example, there is a method described in Patent Document 1 as a network setting method of the printer.

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-256154

However, in the conventional art, when there are a plurality of printers, it is necessary to set a PC or the like by wire connection for each printer. As a result, the network setting of the printer is cumbersome.

This invention is made | formed in view of the said subject, and one of the objectives is to provide the printer, the control method of a printer, and the program which can reduce the trouble of network setting of a printer.

MEANS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM In order to solve the said subject, the network printer system which concerns on this invention is a network printer system containing a 1st printer and a 2nd printer, The said 1st printer is 1st network setting information which stores predetermined network setting information. The network setting information stored in the first network setting information storage means by the storage means, the wireless communication establishing means for establishing wireless communication with the second printer, and the wireless communication established by the wireless communication establishing means. Network setting information transmitting means for transmitting to a second printer, said second printer comprising: network setting information receiving means for receiving network setting information transmitted by said network setting information transmitting means, and said network setting information receiving means. 2nd four to store network setting information received by It characterized in that it comprises means for switching the network settings in the work setting information storage means, and the second network set the network setting information stored in the information storage means.

Moreover, the printer which concerns on this invention is a printer which memorize | stored predetermined network setting information, The network setting is based on the wireless communication establishment means which establishes wireless communication with another printer, and the wireless communication established by the said wireless communication establishment means. Network setting information transmitting means for transmitting information to the other printer.

In addition, a control method of a computer (for example, a printer, a PC, a server computer, a portable information terminal, etc., hereinafter, the same) according to the present invention is a control method of a printer that stores predetermined network setting information. A wireless communication establishing step of establishing communication and a network setting information transmitting step of transmitting the network setting information to the other printer by wireless communication established by the wireless communication establishing step are characterized by including the above.

Moreover, the program for functioning a printer which concerns on this invention is a program for functioning a printer which stored predetermined network setting information, The wireless communication establishment means which establishes wireless communication with another printer, and the said wireless communication establishment means Is a program for functioning a printer as network setting information transmitting means for transmitting the network setting information to the other printer by means of wireless communication established. The program may also store a compact disk-read only memory (CD-R0M), a digital versatile disk-read only memory (DVD-R0M), a memory card, or any other computer on a readable information storage medium.

In addition, the printer according to the present invention is characterized in that, from the other printer, wireless communication establishing means for establishing wireless communication with another printer storing predetermined network setting information, and wireless communication established by the wireless communication establishing means. Network setting information receiving means for receiving network setting information, network setting information storing means for storing network setting information received by said network setting information receiving means, and network setting information stored in said network setting information storing means. Means for switching network settings.

Moreover, the control method of the printer which concerns on this invention is based on the said wireless communication establishment step which establishes wireless communication with the other printer which stored predetermined network setting information, and the said wireless communication by the wireless communication established by the said wireless communication establishment step. Network setting information receiving step of receiving the network setting information from a printer and network setting information stored in network setting information storage means for storing network setting information received by the network setting information receiving step. It characterized by including a step.

Further, the program for functioning the printer according to the present invention includes wireless communication establishing means for establishing wireless communication with another printer that stores predetermined network setting information, and wireless communication established by the wireless communication establishing means. Network setting information receiving means for receiving the network setting information from the other printer, network setting information storing means for storing network setting information received by the network setting information receiving means, and stored in the network setting information storing means. A program for functioning a printer as a means for switching network settings in accordance with network setting information.

In the present invention, the first printer is a printer in which network setting is performed in advance by an information processing apparatus such as a PC to be connected. Then, the first printer establishes wireless communication with the second printer that has not yet been made network settings, and transmits the network settings designated by the PC to the second printer. The second printer switches the network setting according to the received network setting.

According to the present invention, since the network setting information can be transmitted and received between the printer for which the network setting has been performed and the printer for which the network setting has not yet been made, the trouble of network setting of the printer can be reduced.

Moreover, in one aspect of the present invention, the first printer sets the network according to the network setting information stored in the first network setting information storage means after the transmission of the network setting information by the network setting information transmitting means is completed. It characterized in that it further comprises a means for switching. In this way, the first printer can automatically switch the network setting when transmission of the network setting information to the second printer is completed.

Moreover, in one aspect of the present invention, the wireless communication establishing means includes identification information acquisition means for acquiring identification information of the second printer, and identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means. Password generation means for generating a common network password (password key) by an encryption process common to the second printer, wherein the wireless communication establishing means uses the network password generated by the password generation means to generate the first password; 2 is characterized by establishing wireless communication with the printer. This can enhance the security of the wireless communication established between the first printer and the second printer.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the radio communication establishing means establishes radio communication in the add-hoc mode with the second printer. In this way, ad hoc mode wireless communication can be established between the first printer and the second printer.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, preferred embodiment of this invention is described in detail based on drawing.

1 is a system configuration diagram of a network system including a printer system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the network system 1 includes a local area network system 10, a network printer system 100, and a PC.

The local area network system 10 includes an access point 20, a PC 30, 40, or the like, and constitutes a local area network system. An external device such as the setting PC 50 connects to the local area network system 10 through the access point 20 by wireless communication. In order to communicate with the access point 20 by wireless communication, it is necessary to set network settings such as SSID and WEP key according to the access point 20.

The network printer system 100 includes a first printer 200 and at least one second printer. In the present embodiment, the second printer has three sets of reference numerals 300a, 300b, and 300c, but is not limited thereto. Both the first printer 200 and the second printer 300 have a wireless LAN interface and are printers having a wireless communication function. In this embodiment, the network for connecting to the local area network system 10 is set by the setting PC 50 for the first printer 200. And for the 2nd printer 300, network settings for connecting to the local area network system 10 by the wireless communication from the 1st printer 200 are distributed. In this way, the first printer 200 and the second printers 300a, 300b, and 300c are set to enable wireless communication with the devices included in the local area network system 10.

The first printer 200 is network-set by the setting PC 50 to be connected. The first printer 200 distributes the set network setting information to the second printers 300a, 300b, and 300c. As described above, the network setting information here is a setting for wireless communication with the access point 20. The first printer 200 is connected to the setting PC 50 by a serial connection such as USB or a network connection such as Ethernet (registered trademark).

The second printer 300 receives distribution of network setting information from the first printer 200. The second printer 300 is connected to the first printer 200 by wireless communication and receives network setting information. Then, the second printer 300 switches the network setting according to the received network setting information. In this way, the second printer can perform wireless communication with the access point 20, and data communication with the PCs 30 and 40 included in the local area network system 10 is possible.

In order to realize the above process, the configuration of the network printer system 100 will be described below. In addition, in this embodiment, although there are three 2nd printer 300, since each printer operation | movement is the same, below, the 2nd printer 300a is represented and demonstrated.

2 shows a hardware configuration diagram of the network printer system 100. As shown in Fig. 2, the first printer 200 physically has a printer engine 202, a processor 204, a RAM 206, a wireless LAN interface 208, a nonvolatile memory 210 and a wired interface. 212 is configured. Similarly, the second printer 300a may also physically connect the printer engine 302, the processor 304, the RAM 306, the wireless LAN interface 308, the nonvolatile memory 310, and the wired interface 312. It is configured to include. In the present embodiment, since the hardware configuration of the first printer 200 and the second printer 300a are the same, each part of the hardware will be described only for the first printer 200 below.

The printer engine 202 is hardware for performing image formation. The printer engine 202 performs a physical printing process, such as feeding or charging a drum, laser irradiation, application of toner, transfer to a sheet, and fixing.

The processor 204 controls each part of the first printer 200 based on a control program stored in a ROM (not shown) or a program read from the RAM 206. In addition, the RAM 206 is written as needed, and is also used for the work of the processor 204.

The wired interface 212 is an interface for performing wired communication with an external device. As shown in FIG. 2, the first printer 200 and the setting PC 50 connect the wired interface 212 of the first printer 200 and the wired interface 54 of the setting PC 50. It is connected by a cable. In the present embodiment, the wired interface 212 is a serial connection interface such as USB, but is not limited to this, and may be a network connection such as Ethernet (registered trademark).

The wireless LAN interface 208 is a network interface for wirelessly communicating with an external device. The wireless LAN interface 208 includes a nonvolatile memory 210, and network setting information is stored in the nonvolatile memory 210. The network setting information is composed of information such as, for example, the SSID of the wireless network, the WEP key set in the wireless network, the channel frequency and the like. In this embodiment, the network setting information of the wireless LAN interface 208 is generated by the print driver 52 of the setting PC 50 to be connected. The first printer 200 receives network setting information through the wired interface 212.

The wireless LAN interface 208 operates by two communication modes. The first communication mode is an ad hoc mode. In the ad hoc mode, wireless communication is established on a one-to-one basis with another wireless LAN interface or the like to perform data communication. The second communication mode is also an infrastructure mode. In the infrastructure mode, data communication is performed with other devices connected to the access point 20 by wireless communication through the access point 20. In addition, the communication mode of the wireless LAN interface 208 is specified by network setting information.

3 shows a functional block diagram of the network printer system 100. Hereinafter, the functional blocks of the first printer 200 and the second printer 300a will be described in order. As shown in FIG. 3, the first printer 200 functionally includes an image forming unit 220, a control unit 222, a wired communication unit 224, a first setting information storage unit 226, and a wireless communication unit 228. ), A wireless communication establishment unit 230, and a setting switch unit 236. In addition, the wireless communication establishment unit 230 includes an identification information acquisition unit 232 and a password generation unit 234. Hereinafter, each part is demonstrated in detail.

The image forming unit 220 has a function of forming an image based on the received print data. The image forming unit 220 is a function realized by the printer engine 202 of the first printer 200.

The control unit 222 has a function of controlling each part of the first printer 200 and timing control of each process. The control unit 222 is a function realized by the processor 204, the RAM 206, and the control program of the first printer 200.

The wired communication unit 224 has a function of performing data communication by wire. The wired communication unit 224 is a function realized by the wired interface 212 of the first printer 200. In this embodiment, the wired interface 212 is assumed to be a USB interface, and the first printer 200 performs data communication with the setting PC 50 via a USB cable, but is not limited to this. You may perform data communication by network connection, such as a registered trademark). In addition, the data received from the setting PC 50 by the wired communication unit 224 includes network setting information of the wireless LAN interface 208.

The first setting information storage unit 226 has a function of storing network setting information received by the wired communication unit 224. The first setting information storage unit 226 is a function realized by a storage unit such as the RAM 206 of the first printer 200. The processor 204 of the first printer 200 stores the setting information of the printer received from the wired communication unit 224 in the RAM 206.

The radio communication unit 228 has a function of performing data communication by radio. The wireless communication unit 228 is a function realized by the wireless LAN interface 208 of the first printer 200. Wireless communication may correspond to "IEEE8O2.11b / g / a" of the wireless LAN standard. The wireless communication unit 228 performs wireless communication based on the setting information stored on the nonvolatile memory 210 of the wireless LAN interface 208. The setting information includes SSID, WEP key, and communication mode information. SSID is a string set in the wireless network. The SSID is set to communicate between devices having the same SSID. In addition, the WEP key is a network password set in an encrypted wireless network. The WEP key uses bit lengths such as 64 bits and 128 bits. The communication mode is information for specifying a wireless LAN standard used by "1EEE8O2.11b / g / a" and the like.

The wireless communication establishing unit 230 has a function of establishing wireless communication with an external device. In this embodiment, the wireless communication establishing unit 230 establishes wireless communication in the ad hoc mode of the first printer 200 and the second printer 300a. The wireless communication establishing unit 230 is realized as follows using the hardware of the first printer 200. The first printer 200 is first set to a mode that operates as a master for distributing network settings by the user, but sets the communication mode of the wireless LAN interface 208 to the ad hoc mode, and sets other setting information to the default ( default) state (factory default). Then, wireless communication in the ad hoc mode is established with the second printer 300a having the same network setting. In addition, the wireless communication establishment unit 230 performs processing for further strengthening the security of the wireless communication established earlier by the identification information acquisition unit 232 and the password generation unit 234.

The identification information acquisition unit 232 has a function of acquiring identification information of the second printer 300a by wireless communication established earlier in the wireless communication establishment unit 230. In this embodiment, the serial number of the second printer 300a is used as identification information of the second printer 300a. Then, the processor 204 of the first printer 200 first stores in the RAM 206 the serial number transmitted by the established wireless communication.

The password generation unit 234 has a function of generating identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 232 as a network password by encryption processing using a common algorithm for the first printer 200 and the second printer 300a. . The password generation unit 234 may use a common key encryption method as an encryption method common to the first printer 200 and the second printer 300a. The first printer 200 encrypts the acquired identification information of the second printer 300a by using a common key of the first printer 200 and the second printer 300a to generate a key. In addition, the second printer 300a also encrypts its own identification information using a common key to generate a key. The password generator 234 generates a WEP key (for example, 128 bits in length) used for encrypting the ad hoc network. Here, since both the 1st printer 200 and the 2nd printer 300a perform the encryption process using a common key with respect to the same identification information, the created key becomes the same.

Then, the wireless communication establishment unit 230 updates the WEP key of the wireless communication established first in the first printer 200 and the second printer 300a by using the WEP key generated by the password generation unit 234. . In this way, the first printer 200 and the second printer 300a can perform wireless communication in a state where security is enhanced.

As described above, by the established wireless communication, the first printer 200 uses the wireless LAN interface 208 as network setting information for connecting to the local area network system 10 stored in the first setting information storage unit 226. The transmission is sent to the second printer 300a.

In addition, the setting switching unit 236 has a function of switching the network setting according to the network setting information stored in the first setting information storage unit 226 after the transmission of the network setting information is completed. The setting switching unit 236 is realized as follows using the hardware of the first printer 200. When the processor 204 of the first printer 200 receives a signal indicating that transmission of network setting information to the second printer 300a is normally completed through the wireless LAN interface 208, it is stored in the RAM 206. The network setting information is read to update the value of the setting information on the nonvolatile memory 210 of the wireless LAN interface 208.

In addition, the second printer 300a functionally includes an image forming unit 320, a control unit 322, a wireless communication unit 324, a second setting information storage unit 326, a wireless communication establishing unit 330, and setting switching. It is configured to include a portion 336. The wireless communication establishment unit 330 includes an identification information transmitter 332 and a password generator 334. Since the image forming unit 320, the control unit 322, and the wireless communication unit 324 have the same functions as those described in the first printer 200, description thereof is omitted. Hereinafter, each part of the 2nd setting information storage part 326, the wireless communication establishment part 330, and the setting switching part 336 is demonstrated.

The wireless communication establishing unit 330 has a function of establishing wireless communication. In this embodiment, the wireless communication establishing unit 330 establishes wireless communication in the ad hoc mode with the first printer 200. The wireless communication establishing unit 330 is realized as follows using the hardware of the second printer 300a. First, when the second printer 300a is set to a mode operating as a slave that receives distribution of network settings by the user, the second printer 300a sets the communication mode of the wireless LAN interface 308 to the ad hoc mode, and other settings. Set the information to the default state (factory default). The second printer 300a then establishes wireless communication in the ad hoc mode with the first printer 200 set in the same manner.

The identification information transmission unit 332 has a function of transmitting identification information of the second printer 300a to the first printer 200 by wireless communication established earlier in the wireless communication establishment unit 330. In this embodiment, the identification information transmitter 332 transmits the serial number as identification information of the second printer 300a. The processor of the second printer 300a obtains the serial number from the hardware setting information of the second printer 300a, and transmits the obtained serial number through the wireless LAN interface 308.

The password generation unit 334 uses the identification information transmitted from the identification information transmission unit 332 to generate a common network password (WEP key) by encryption processing common to the first printer 200 and the second printer 300a. Has the function of generating. Since the process of the password generation part 334 is the same as the process of the password generation part 234 in the 1st printer 200, the following description is abbreviate | omitted.

The wireless communication establishment unit 330 updates the WEP key of the wireless communication first established in the first printer 200 and the second printer 300a by using the WEP key generated by the password generation unit 334, Reestablish wireless communication.

The second printer 300 receives, by the wireless communication unit 324, network setting information transmitted from the first printer 200 by wireless communication established by the wireless communication establishing unit 330. Then, the second printer 300a stores the received network setting information in the second setting information storage unit 326. The second setting information storage unit 326 is a function realized by the RAM 306 of the second printer 300a.

The setting switching unit 336 has a function of switching the network setting according to the network setting information stored in the second setting information storage unit 326. The setting switching unit 336 is realized as follows using the hardware of the second printer 300a. Processor 304 obtains network setting information from RAM 306. The processor 304 updates the setting information of the nonvolatile memory 310 of the wireless LAN interface 308 according to the acquired network setting information. The wireless LAN interface 308 starts to operate based on the updated setting information.

Hereinafter, the details of the operation of the network setting processing in the network printer system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

4 shows a sequence diagram of network setting processing in the network printer system 100. As shown in Fig. 4, the first printer 200 transmits network setting information for wireless communication with the access point 20 from the setting PC 50 to be connected (S1). Then, the first printer 200 sets the setting mode on the side (master side) that distributes the network settings by the user (S2A). Then, the second printer 300a is set by the user to the side (slave side) that receives the distribution of the network setting (S2B). The first printer 200 and the second printer 300a switch the communication mode of the wireless LAN interface to the ad hoc mode and set the parameters of the other wireless LAN interface to the initial state values to establish the wireless communication in the ad hoc mode. (S3A, B). Then, the second printer 300 transmits its serial number to the first printer 200 by the established wireless communication (S4). The first printer 200 generates the received serial number as a WEP key by common encryption processing (S5A). Similarly, the second printer 300a also generates its serial number as a WEP key by common encryption processing (S5B). Then, the first printer 200 and the second printer 300a use the generated WEP key to reestablish the radio communication in the ad hoc mode (S6A, B). The first printer 200 transmits the received network setting information to the second printer 300a by wireless communication established in S6A and B (S7). When the transmission of the network setting information is completed, the first printer 200 switches the setting of the wireless communication from the ad hoc mode to the infrastructure mode in accordance with the network setting received from the setting PC 50 (S8A). In addition, when the reception of the network setting information is completed, the second printer 300a switches the setting of the wireless communication from the ad hoc mode to the infrastructure mode according to the network setting received from the first printer 200 (S8B). .

According to the network printer system according to the embodiment of the present invention described above, the following effects can be obtained. First, a network setting of a wireless LAN can be made to a plurality of printers without erroneous input. Secondly, the network settings of the wireless LAN can be transmitted between the printers after securing sufficient security. Third, since the printers transfer network settings, there is no inconvenience due to the software version that occurs when the PC is upgraded, for example, than when the network settings are transmitted to the printer by the PC. According to the above effects, the network printer system according to the embodiment of the present invention can reduce the trouble of the network setting of the printer.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the said Example.

In the above embodiment, the wireless communication is reestablished using the WEP key generated by using the identification information of the second printer in establishing the wireless communication, but from the first printer by the wireless communication initially established in the initial setting. Network setting information can also be sent to the second printer.

Further, in the above embodiment, infrared communication may be used when transmitting network setting information from the first printer to the second printer.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a printer, a control method of the printer, and a program which can reduce the trouble of network setting of the printer.

Claims (10)

A network printer system comprising a first printer and a second printer, The first printer, First network setting information storage means for storing predetermined network setting information; Wireless communication establishing means for establishing wireless communication with the second printer; Network setting information transmitting means for transmitting, to the second printer, network setting information stored in the first network setting information storing means by wireless communication established by the wireless communication establishing means; The second printer, Network setting information receiving means for receiving network setting information transmitted by said network setting information transmitting means; Second network setting information storage means for storing network setting information received by said network setting information receiving means; And means for switching network settings in accordance with network setting information stored in said second network setting information storage means. The method of claim 1, The first printer, Means for switching the network setting according to the network setting information stored in the first network setting information storage means after the transmission of the network setting information by the network setting information transmitting means is completed. . The method according to claim 1 or 2, The wireless communication establishing means, Identification information acquisition means for acquiring identification information of the second printer; Password generating means for generating a common network password by encryption processing common to the first printer and the second printer, using the identification information acquired by the identification information acquiring means; And the wireless communication establishing means establishes wireless communication with the second printer using the network password generated by the password generating means. The method according to claim 1 or 2, And the wireless communication establishing means establishes an ad hoc mode wireless communication with the second printer. As a printer memorizing predetermined network setting information, Wireless communication establishing means for establishing wireless communication with another printer; And network setting information transmitting means for transmitting the network setting information to the other printer by wireless communication established by the wireless communication establishing means. As a control method of a printer that stores predetermined network setting information, A wireless communication establishment step of establishing wireless communication with another printer, And a network setting information transmitting step of transmitting said network setting information to said another printer by wireless communication established by said wireless communication establishing step. A computer-readable medium that records a program for operating a printer that stores predetermined network setting information. Wireless communication establishing means for establishing wireless communication with another printer, and A computer-readable medium having recorded thereon a program for functioning a printer as network setting information transmitting means for transmitting the network setting information to the other printer by wireless communication established by the wireless communication establishing means. Wireless communication establishing means for establishing wireless communication with another printer storing predetermined network setting information; Network setting information receiving means for receiving the network setting information from the other printer by wireless communication established by the wireless communication establishing means; Network setting information storage means for storing network setting information received by said network setting information receiving means; And means for switching network settings in accordance with network setting information stored in said network setting information storage means. A wireless communication establishing step of establishing wireless communication with another printer which stores predetermined network setting information; A network setting information receiving step of receiving the network setting information from the other printer by wireless communication established by the wireless communication establishing step; And changing the network setting in accordance with the network setting information stored in the network setting information storage means for storing the network setting information received by the network setting information receiving step. Wireless communication establishing means for establishing wireless communication with another printer storing predetermined network setting information; Network setting information receiving means for receiving the network setting information from the other printer by wireless communication established by the wireless communication establishing means; Network setting information storage means for storing network setting information received by said network setting information receiving means, and A computer-readable medium having recorded thereon a program for functioning a printer as means for switching network settings in accordance with network setting information stored in said network setting information storage means.

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